for the rest of us death will be a relief

[praevaricatio]

Comments

[bibrid]

Good point. Maybe, you could make me one of those bracelets, except it leads to your shower.

( She waggles her eyebrows. )

Although, if I don't know your bathroom schedule, that could get awkward. I'll workshop it. Ready?

[undermyfeet]

That is not how the bracelets work, but I will take the suggestion into consideration.

[Maybe David will help him. If David lives after his hostile coven takeover. But yes, phone time done.]

Ready. What's our first stop?

[bibrid]

Picadilly Circus. I don't really want to buy anything, but I have to go to Harrod's at least once. You know, for the experience. And then there's a few Notting Hill stops.

( She made him watch it the night before and then did some research into where it was filmed. )

[undermyfeet]

Got it. We can wander and explore.

[None of these things are new to him, but he'll happily follow her around as she checks them off her list. He's just happy she's here and wants to spend all the time with her he can.]

There's actually a really great bakery near there, in Soho.

[bibrid]

Yes. I don't even care where. There's a Soho in London?

( Her boyfriend knows much. )

[undermyfeet]

[Helps to have lived here your entire life.]

Yep. It's one of the districts in Westminster. Brewer Bakery is in Brewer Street, and it's run by the widower of one of the witches from the coven. He makes the best red velvet cookies. And red velvet cake. And honestly, anything he makes is worth eating.

[bibrid]

Then we have to go.

( Widower's sad, but it feels very London, very rom com. )

That kind of perseverance deserves rewarding. A lot of people might give it up, but he keeps on. Isn't that a London saying?

[undermyfeet]

We do say it.

[He's not sure if it's specifically London-related. But he's also pleased because that means he's getting red velvet something today, and maybe will get the chance to introduce Lizzie to Quinn. He's spent a lot of time with her friends, part of the point of this trip is for her to get to know some of his.]

Bakery or shopping first?

[bibrid]

Bakery. It's the morning, and you're clearly jonesing for red velvet.

( And now I am, too. )

I want to see your world and that's your world, right?

[undermyfeet]

It is. Let's go.

[And they will go, heading off to the bakery. Brewer Street Bakery is a tiny spot wedged into the middle of some other shops and restaurants, but the lure of fresh baked goods is hard to resist as you reach the door.

Decorated in warm colors, they make their way into the small seating area, with a couple of scattered regulars. Tables are set up in front of a long display counter, and the tall form of Bairre Ford is currently hunched over, sliding a fresh plate of cookies into the display case.

He catches the distorted form of Danny in the glass, and as he straightens, Danny gives him a wave.]

Morning, Mr. Ford.

["Danny. Your favorites are still in the oven."

He shrugs.]

That's alright. We'll probably try a couple things.

[He then nudges Lizzie to go see if there's anything she wants to try in the case.]

This is Lizzie, my girlfriend.

[Bairre nods. "Nice to meet you, Lizzie."]

[bibrid]

Yes, please.

( First, she goes to the case, but, then she remembers her manners and tips her head upward, offering a hand to shake. She has more confidence now and can shake hands like the rest of them. )

Lizzie Saltzman. It's nice to meet you. I've heard incredible things about your confections. Do you have any recommendations?

[fullpockets]

Well. If you're not a red velvet fiend like your boyfriend -

["It's called having taste," Danny interjects.

Bairre raises his eyebrows at Lizzie like you see what I'm working with.]

- I personally think the carrot cake is our best, followed closely by anything lemon - lemon is Patrice's specialty.

[bibrid]

One slice of carrot, one of lemon, and one red velvet. And do you serve coffees here? Or alcohol?

( She has to ask. She does love Bairre's accent, though! )

[fullpockets]

Excellent choices. And no alcohol, all the booze we have goes into the baked goods, but we do have coffee.

[Even if he's not really one to drink it. He's a tea guy. He points up to the cafe menu that has a range of options - lattes, Americanos, etc.]

Just let us know how you like it.

[bibrid]

Cream, sugar? And, Danny likes his sweeter, I think. Extra sugar packets on the side. Love your accent. You're Irish, aren't you?

( She's always wanted to go to Ireland. She missed the Leprechaun, thankfully. )

[fullpockets]

I am. Grew up in Dublin, or thereabouts.

[He moves behind the counter, getting the coffees going, before then grabbing the slices of cake.]

Moved out to London after I finished culinary school.

[bibrid]

Did your family come with you, or are they all back there?

( She has nothing to do but be nosy while she waits to bring everything sweet back to the table, so nosy she will be. )

[fullpockets]

A couple did, but most of them are in the States, actually. We wound up scattered all over the place in a lot of ways.

[Which is good though. It's not really a good thing when they're all living in each other's pockets.]

[bibrid]

My twin sister and I went to different schools. Do you have a big group chat or actually make the physical effort to see everyone?

( She keeps in mind he's a widower, but there's family left behind. And family should stick together, especially after tragedy. )

[fullpockets]

We have a group chat. For the latter, we try, but it takes time. And I also have three children to manage, so I don't get to see them as often as I hope.

[His brothers are getting better at it though.]

My brother is actually getting married next year, though, and we should all be together for that.

[bibrid]

Girl dad, uh?

( he has the look. )

That's fun. Destination wedding or back in ( trying the Irish accent. ) Ireland? ( she scrunches her face. ) Please do your best to forget I did that.

[fullpockets]

New Orleans. He recently moved there.

[Though if Ireland had been an option on the table, at one point or another.]

And yes, all three of them are girls.

[bibrid]

My sister's at Tulane! And her girlfriend. And, actually, two friends from high school. And Hope's family. I know a lot of people there. Great city.

( She smiles at the thought of girls. )

Are your girls all close in age? I have a twin.

[fullpockets]

Not that close. Quinn's a year younger than Danny and Ciara and Maeve are thirteen and ten.

[She's probably going to meet them if she's spending time with Danny. And he will set the coffees on the counter for her to take.]

[bibrid]

Thank you. Girl dads are the best.

( Ones who aren't always hers. But, hers means well. And tries. )

I will definitely be coming back here because I'm staying through winter break.

( With that, she takes, first, the coffees to Danny's table and then she brings the pastries, flopping down across from him. )

I like Bairre.